Category: News

Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Zhanna Andreasyan, received Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Science, Higher Education and Innovation, Gulzat Tynybekovna Isamatova, and Minister of Education Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva.

The officials are in Armenia for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17).

According to the Armenian ministry, Andreasyan welcomed the opportunity COP17 had provided for discussions with her counterparts on specific topics.

“Education systems face the same priorities: improving effectiveness, using information technology and artificial intelligence, digital literacy and so on. I am pleased that we can discuss both general topics and individual programmes, identifying avenues for cooperation between our two countries,” Andreasyan said.

Isamatova and Kendirbaeva thanked her for the warm welcome. They said the visit also offered an opportunity to learn about Armenia’s education system and, where necessary, begin exchanging experience with a view to adapting the Armenian educational model for use in Kyrgyzstan.

The two sides discussed their respective experiences of educational reform. The Kyrgyz delegation was particularly interested in Armenia’s 12-year general education system, AI education programmes, preschool reforms, human capital development programmes and incentive schemes for teachers.

In this context, Andreasyan briefly outlined the work of the Armath laboratories operating in Armenian schools, TUMO centres and Yerevan State University’s Artificial Intelligence Centre, as well as the priorities and progress of Armenia’s educational reforms.

Higher education and science were also discussed separately. The importance of strengthening university links, conducting joint research and implementing joint projects was highlighted.

Both sides also stressed the importance of work by their respective subordinate institutions to ensure the vitality of their native languages.

In the coming days, Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Innovation plan to sign a memorandum on cooperation in education and science. A separate agreement on cooperation in education is planned between the Armenian ministry and Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Education.

A new Species Recovery Donor Alliance, comprising nine private donors including the Bezos Earth Fund, pledged to invest an additional US$500 million by 2030 to support threatened species recovery in more than 100 countries, Dr. Cristián Samper, Managing Director and Leader for Nature Solutions at the Bezos Earth Fund, announced at the COP17 Leaders’ Summit in Yerevan, Armenia.

“I’m very pleased to announce today that we’re launching a new Species Recovery Donor Alliance jointly with eight other private donors,” Samper said.

The announcement directly supports Target 4 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, focused on preventing extinctions and recovering threatened species.

The $500 million is a collective pledge by nine donors. Samper did not specify the Fund’s individual contribution.

Samper also reported that the Protecting Our Planet (POP) coalition, which includes the Bezos Earth Fund and 11 other donors, expects to have awarded $3.7 billion of its $5 billion commitment by the end of 2026, putting it ahead of schedule toward its 2030 goal.

The announcement also coincided with the launch of CARES, a government-led Coalition of Action to Recover Endangered Species, involving Armenia, Colombia and 14 other founding countries.

The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 16 October, USD exchange rate up by 0.85 drams to 362.34 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 2.51 drams to 407.92 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.0281 drams to 4.3346 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 4.13 drams to 483.25 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 846 drams to 48372 drams. 

The leaders’ summit held in Yerevan on 16 October as part of COP17 concluded with the adoption of the “Yerevan Declaration: Taking Action for Nature”. The declaration emphasises the need to strengthen international cooperation on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and nature protection.

Yerevan Declaration Taking Action for Nature

We, the Heads of State and Government participating in the Leaders for Nature Summit, together with representatives of international organizations, indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, business and finance, civil society, academia and other stakeholders, gathered in Yerevan on 16 October 2026, on the eve of the United Nations Biodiversity Conference,

Recognizing that biodiversity and the ecosystem functions and services that it provides are the foundation of life on Earth and underpin healthy and resilient terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, including ocean, glaciers and mountain ecosystems, and therefore food security, climate resilience, sustainable development, human health, cultural heritage, economic prosperity, peace and the well-being and livelihoods of present and future generations,

Reaffirming our commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity and to the effective implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by fulfilling the Framework mission of halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieving its vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050,

Welcoming the growing global mobilization for biodiversity in recent years, while recognizing that the first global report on the implementation of the Framework demonstrates that collective efforts and progress remain insufficient and that accelerated implementation is urgently needed, including through enhanced international cooperation, strengthened actions and enhanced means of implementation,

Recognizing that the first global review of collective progress in the implementation of the Framework offers a valuable opportunity to identify gaps, strengthen collective learning and inform our common efforts towards the full achievement of the goals and targets of the Framework,

Expressing our determination to transform commitments into measurable actions and lasting results at all levels,

Commit to strengthening national implementation through whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, including through integrated planning, effective environmental governance and sustained political leadership, enhancing the effective conservation, restoration, management and sustainable use of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, including ocean and mountain ecosystems, progressively raising ambition and accelerating action where collective progress remains insufficient, mainstreaming biodiversity across public policies and economic sectors and promoting policy coherence in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in accordance with national circumstances, priorities and capabilities;

Underline the need for mobilization of increased, adequate, predictable, timely and accessible public and private finance for biodiversity from all sources, including by creating fiscal space through putting in place catalytic incentives for nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-based approaches, strengthening capacity-building, scientific and technical cooperation, access to and transfer of technology, and innovation, while enhancing international partnerships and cooperation to support implementation in developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States among them;

Commit to strengthening monitoring, planning, reporting and review, improving biodiversity data and knowledge systems, promoting science-based decision-making and the responsible use of innovative technology, while recognizing the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous peoples and local communities with their free, prior and informed consent, as appropriate;

Highlight the need to strengthen the meaningful, full and effective participation and contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, subnational governments, cities and other local authorities, academia, civil society, the business and finance community and other stakeholders for the achievement of the 2030 mission and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework;

Commit to promoting and incentivizing sustainable production and consumption patterns and approaches that contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss across all sectors of economy and finance;

Underscore the need to step up efforts to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources, including through the Multilateral Mechanism for the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources, Including the Cali Fund;

Emphasize the importance of maximizing synergies and improving policy coherence among the Rio conventions, other multilateral environmental agreements and the wider United Nations system in support of more effective and efficient implementation of the Framework and associated environmental commitments;

Look forward to the first global review of collective progress in the implementation of the Framework as an important milestone for strengthening transparency, accountability and collective learning, addressing implementation gaps, promoting effective solutions and accelerating collective action towards achieving the 2030 global targets and the 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature;

Emphasize the need for an effective and result-oriented outcome on a clear pathway in Yerevan for the accelerated implementation of the Framework and the achievement of its 23 targets, and call upon the United Nations Biodiversity Conference to reflect the political vision and commitments contained in the present declaration in its deliberations and outcomes.

As global leaders, we send a clear message of determination, ambition and hope. Biodiversity loss is one of the major challenges of our time, but addressing it presents an unprecedented opportunity to transform humanity’s relationship with nature and build a more sustainable, resilient and equitable future. The health and integrity of the Earth require urgent and collective action. By acting together, with renewed ambition, solidarity and resolve, we can make this decisive decade a turning point for biodiversity and for present and future generations. This is a call upon all Governments, international organizations, international financial institutions, the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities, civil society, women, youth and all stakeholders to translate commitments into concrete action, stronger partnerships and accelerated implementation, ensuring that collective efforts deliver lasting results for people, the planet and prosperity.

Ahead of COP17, Armenian Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan met Abdullah Ali, Chairman of the Environment Authority of the Sultanate of Oman.

According to the Armenian Environment Ministry, they discussed opportunities to develop bilateral cooperation in biodiversity conservation, restore ecosystems and strengthen resilience to climate change.

The meeting also addressed the COP17 agenda, highlighting the importance of international cooperation and joint efforts to achieve global biodiversity conservation goals.

Armenian Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan said the biodiversity crisis demanded political leadership, which must translate into concrete action. That, he said, was the purpose of the Leaders for Nature Summit.

Matevosyan made the remarks at the leaders’ summit on biodiversity held in Yerevan on 16 October.

“I would like to begin by highlighting the leadership of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, whose support has been decisive in making this summit possible, and by thanking all of you for your presence, commitment and contribution,” the minister said.

Matevosyan said the summit, held immediately before COP17, offered an opportunity to strengthen political commitment, set strategic directions and give impetus to the work ahead.

He said the Global Biodiversity Framework had been agreed.

“Our task now is to accelerate its implementation and ensure that commitments are translated into measurable results. COP17 will begin here in Yerevan on 18 October. The conference will address issues crucial to the next phase of global action for biodiversity conservation, including finance, monitoring, capacity-building, technology, cooperation and benefit-sharing, as well as the first global review of collective progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” he said.

According to the minister, the global review would help establish where things stood, record progress and identify gaps requiring greater attention. However, the review must lead to action. Matevosyan said practical pathways were needed to close those gaps and accelerate implementation.

“This is the approach underpinning the Yerevan Pathway for implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to connect the lessons drawn from the global review with stronger cooperation, practical solutions and accelerated action.

“We are also encouraged by the interest expressed by several countries in exploring the possibility of establishing a Species Recovery Action Coalition, with a particular focus on translating the ambitions of Target 4 into practical and measurable action. This is precisely the kind of cooperation focused on implementation that we seek to encourage through COP17: bringing countries together, sharing expertise and experience, and delivering tangible results for nature conservation,” Matevosyan said.

He added that biodiversity was fundamental to economies, societies and security. Protecting nature was therefore inseparable from development: it was a prerequisite for resilient economies, food and water security, human well-being and sustainable development.

He said leaders had been brought together for nature. Their responsibility now was to carry that spirit into COP17 and continue the work beyond it.

“Let us send a clear message to COP17 and the whole world: political commitment must be accompanied by action, and action must deliver tangible results,” Matevosyan concluded.

The biodiversity leaders’ summit held in Armenia was the largest, most inclusive and wide-ranging leaders’ summit ever organised as part of the biodiversity conferences of the parties, Armenian Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan said.

Speaking to reporters about the summit’s outcomes, he said Armenia had achieved its objective by organising a leaders’ summit before the start of formal COP17 negotiations. Participants included heads of state and government, leaders in the field and heads of international organisations.

“One of the main aims of the event and discussions was to increase COP17’s political impact and, more broadly, draw greater political attention to the biodiversity agenda,” Matevosyan said.

He stressed that the summit’s most important outcome was the Yerevan Declaration, which would provide political support for the COP17 negotiations.

“As COP17 President, I believe this document will be of crucial importance to Armenia’s presidency and our team’s work, providing political support that will allow negotiations to proceed more smoothly,” he said.

Matevosyan said one important area of the work ahead was cooperation with COP countries and political entities to determine what steps should be taken to conserve biodiversity over the next four years.

“We must identify the problems and also understand what work the world needs to undertake in this area over the coming four years. The Yerevan Declaration was the best starting point and represented important political support from leaders for COP17,” the minister added.

Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan said the role of mining in the global economy was changing significantly and demand for copper alone would increase by around 7 million tonnes by 2040.

Grigoryan made the remarks at Mining Armenia Forum 2026 in Tsaghkadzor on 16 October.

He said Armenia’s task was to develop a qualitatively different mining industry rather than simply extract more ore.

He also stressed that countries’ competitiveness today was determined by natural resources alongside predictable regulation, a stable tax environment, effective public administration, infrastructure and policies that investors could understand.

Grigoryan said it was important to continue introducing international standards and strengthening confidence in the sector. To achieve this, Armenia’s mineral potential should be used in a way that made the country competitive in its resources, the quality of its governance and specialists, its technologies and its responsible business culture.

Mining Armenia Forum, being held for the third time, brings the mining industry and related sectors together under one roof. More than 350 delegates from 15 countries are taking part.

Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan met Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, who is on an official visit to Yerevan, at the presidential residence.

According to the Armenian President’s Office, Khachaturyan welcomed his guest and thanked him for attending the leaders’ summit on biodiversity held as part of COP17.

Khachaturyan expressed satisfaction with the positive progress of political dialogue between Armenia and Kyrgyzstan and the regularity of high-level contacts. He expressed confidence that the meeting would give fresh impetus to bilateral relations and advance specific areas of further cooperation. He stressed the importance of consistently translating high-level agreements into practical results and joint programmes.

Japarov thanked him for the invitation and warm welcome, describing the visit as historic in some respects, as it was the first official visit by a Kyrgyz president to Armenia.

The two leaders placed particular value on cooperation between Yerevan and Bishkek in international and multilateral forums, reaffirming their readiness to continue their constructive partnership and exchanges of views on issues of mutual interest.

Particular attention was paid to deepening trade and economic ties. Both sides noted significant potential to expand bilateral cooperation in these areas.

They stressed the need to move from recognising general potential to developing concrete programmes and projects that would increase trade, strengthen business contacts and expand investment cooperation.

Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan met UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the presidential residence, according to the Armenian President’s Office.

Welcoming his guest to Yerevan, Khachaturyan praised Guterres’s efforts to strengthen international peace and address global challenges, and highlighted the importance of his participation in the leaders’ summit.

Guterres thanked the president for the warm welcome, said he was impressed by Armenia and Yerevan, and emphasised the importance of hosting the COP conference.

The two discussed the importance of regional peace for infrastructure and tourism development, as well as bilateral programme cooperation between Armenia and the UN and issues concerning UN reform.

The meeting then continued over a working dinner.